Eryngium planum plant named Fluela

ABSTRACT

A distinct cultivar of Eryngium planum named Fluela characterized by its relatively large and tall growth, rosette form, large peduncles having secondary and tertiary branches, and ellipsoid shaped, violet blue flowers.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Eryngiumplanum, commonly called sea holly, known by the cultivar name Fluela.

Fluela originated from a hybridization made by the inventor FlorisVletter in a controlled breeding program in Rijnsburg, the Netherlandscovering the years 1980-1982. The female, or seed, parent of Fluela wasDitochterum. The male, or pollen, parent was Seedling PZ-1.2. Fluela wasdiscovered and selected as one flowering plant within the progeny of thestated parentage by the inventor on June 28, 1982 in a controlledenvironment in Rijnsburg, the Netherlands.

The first act of asexual reproduction of Fluela was accomplished whenroot cuttings were taken from the initial selection on Aug. 14, 1982 ina controlled environment in Rijnsburg, the Netherlands by a technicianworking under formulations established and supervised by the inventor.Horticultural examination of selected units, initiated on Sept. 11,1986, has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as hereindisclosed for Fluela are firmlyfixed and are retained through successivegenerations of asexual reproduction.

Fluela has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype may vary considerably with variations inenvironment such as temperature, light intensity and day length. Thefollowing observations, measurements and comparisons describe plantsgrown in Wageningen, the Netherlands under outside conditions whichapproximate those generally used in commercial practice. Colorreferences are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart.

The accompanying photographic drawings show a typical specimen plant ofthe new cultivar, with colors being as true as possible for colorillustrations of this type. Photographic Drawing 1 is a perspective viewof the variety in blossom. Photographic Drawing 2 is a closeupperspective view of flowering branches of the variety, showing thepeduncle andhead. Photographic Drawing 3 illustrates the foliar rosetteform of leaves of the variety.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of Fluela, which in combination distinguishthis Eryngium planum as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Plant is relatively large and tall, with a dense rosette form.

2. Large peduncles, 30 cm. and larger, having secondary and tertiarybranches.

3. Medium size, ellipsoid shaped flowers, violet blue in color.

Plant:

Form.--Relatively large.

Size.--About 90 cm tall when mature.

Growth habit.--Rosette is dense and plant has large peduncles.

Blooming habit.--Branching flower heads.

Leaf:

Size.--Rosette leaves about 14 cm long with petioles of about 16 cm.

Color.--Dark green and slightly glossy.

Quantity.--Approximately 25.

Shape.--Leaf-blade almost elliptical, crenate, leaf margin with shortprickles.

Peduncle:

Size.--From 30 cm upwards, branching out somewhat wider and then withsecondary and tertiary branches.

Color.--The main stem silvery-grey with a blue tinge increasing to thetop; lateral branches rather intense blue-purple, about R.H.S. 86B-C.

Stem leaves.--Stem leaves sessile, leaf blades at the base of thepeduncle similar to those of the rosette leaves, ovate upwards alongthepeduncle and at the top of the peduncle palmately parted and sharplypricked.

Flowers:

Size.--Medium sized, the actual flower size being about 1.7 centimetersin height and a width of 1.5 centimeters.

Form.--Ellipsoid, involucral bract, narrow and long and approximately86B-C on its upper surface (with greyish tinge), underside dark greyishgreen.

Color.--Mature: upper surface, petals of heads are approximately 86 A-B;under surface, greyish green. Immature: upper and lower surfaces lightgreen.

Propagation: The new cultivar is reproduced through successive breedinggenerations by root cuttings.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Eryngium planum named Fluela,as illustrated and described.